VERY COLORFUL AND REFRESHING. Review on Paheli

PAHELI : One of the most awaited films was released on friday 24th June 2005. For those who do not know,the entire film was shot in 45 days thereby making it one of the quick flicks in Indian cinema.This movie comes as a welcome break in midst of skin flicks,action,underworld oriented movies which seem to have become a usual norm. Though iam not a die hard fan of shah rukh khan,i decided to watch this movie only because of its director (AMOL PALEKAR) who happened to feature in few of the most engrossing movies like golmaal,chitchor,naram garam,baton baton mein etc. I truly admired his comic timings in these movies and wanted to check out the difference (if any) he provides when it comes to direction. The movie begins with impressive and breathtaking colorful screenplays and the song too is very well choreographed. This movie reminds you of television serials of the early eighties like VIKRAM AUR VETAAL (where the vetaal narrates stories),DADA DADI KI KAHANI etc which had become a part of our childhood. Paheli moves at a constant pace,it tends to drag in between but before it gets on to your nerves,there are a few twists and turns that keep you interested.The movie is about 2hrs15 minutes in duration so this shows that AMOL PALEKAR has kept the editor on toes. The colorful costumes,Rajasthani tradition and excellent camerawork makes this movie a visual delight. Of the cast: Shah rukh as usual has acted well,rani mukherjee has never looked slimmer and acted well too, esp her romantic scenes with shah rukh makes a good viewing. Anupam Kher is the star of the show and has delivered a brilliant performance which had been pending for a long long time.Also one of the co actors who needs specific mention is Dilip Prabhavalkar who has been the most under-rated actor in Hindi films. BIG B has delivered another cameo and for those who do not know,he did not charge a single penny for his role.He manages to bring a smile on ur face by his sheer sense of humor. Sadly Suniel shetty and Juhi Chawla had nothing to offer,though Juhi had looked stunning and in some scenes better than Rani.Iam not an ardent fan of sunil shetty but this film makes you feel that suniel shetty deserved much more. Rajpal Yadav too could have been used in a better way. Finally like all hindi movies,this too turns out to be a melodrama. BUT WATCH THIS MOVIE FOR ITS COLORFUL RAJASTHANI TRADITION WHICH ARE VERY SOOTHING TO EYES,THIS IS INDEED A FAIRY TALE!!!